Next Up Podcast

Welcome to the Next Up Podcast! We traveled to Colorado for this episode to meet with Katie Cossette and Theresa Spires at St. Vrain Schools. We spoke about some of the innovative programs they’re implementing in their schools such as, the culinary arts degree students can receive at their Career Elevation Technology Center campus, their upcoming Farm Box program, their student-raised live stock that they process and offer during their school meal program, and more! Listen into this episode to learn exactly why St. Vrain took home the NxtGen Network Ignite 2023 Innovation award, while being inspired along the way!

The Next Up Podcast is back! This time around we're on the search for influential innovative disruptors that are crushing it in their spaces. Join us as we travel coast to coast and speak with some of the best in the business.

Thanks for tuning in to the Next Up podcast! School Food Rocks was in the house today and I was lucky enough to catch up with my two good friends, Joe Urban and Lauren Couchois. We spoke about their passions, experiences, ethics, and what they are doing to help ensure School Food Rocks across the country. There might even be some firsts that were shared in this episode so make sure you tune in because you're definitely not going to want to miss this! 

Thanks for tuning into the Next Up Podcast! For this episode I made the trip to Colorado to meet with my good friend, Shannon Soloman, of Aurora Public Schools . Our conversation included her winning the FES Top Achiever award, it being the first time someone from K-12 won, how and why K-12 operators need to tell their story, and some of the innovative solutions she’s providing her kids including Drive-Throughs! Make sure you buckle up, this is going to be one wild ride!

Welcome back to  the Next Up Podcast! In this episode, I spoke with Scott Reitano, Principal of Reitano Design Group. We spoke about how Reitano went from being a Manufacturers Rep to a Client Advocate, how Reitano Design Group helps Districts and Food Service Directors understand they have a voice that needs to be heard, and the difference we're seeing with Gen Z and Gen Alpha in relation to their eating habits. Listen in to this episode to find out more!

Welcome back to another episode of the Next Up Podcast! In this episode, we connected with Shani Hall, General Manager of Student Nutrition Services at Hillsborough County Schools, Lori Drenth, Director of Food Services in Hernando County Schools, Conor Doyle, Marketing Manager at AmTab, and Steve Samikkanu, General Manager at Amtab. We spoke about increasing student engagement and participation, the importance of hospitality in this post-COVID age, and the work Conor and Steve are doing with AmTab to create modern, popular, and fun food courts and learning environments. Stay tuned to this episode to learn more!

On this episode of Next Up, Marlon and Nisha meet with Fork Farms Co-Founder and President, Alex Tyink. We find out how Alex went from being an Opera Singer to discovering Hydroponics, and then creating Fork Farms as we know it today. He discusses the Flex Farm, how it works, and how they're giving children equal access to fresh food because of it. Tune in to this episode to find out more about Fork Farms!

On this episode of Next Up, Marlon and Nisha meet with Deeply Rooted Farms Founder and CEO, Kayla Beyer. Kayla grew up on a dairy farm and currently owns and operates a working beef and crop farm with her husband and five children. They discuss Farm sustainability practices, Regenerative Ag Theory, the benefit of Cover Crops, and more! Kayla also gives us the origin story of Deeply Rooted and how it’s grown into what it is today. Tune in to this episode to find out more about Deeply Rooted!

On this episode of Next Up, Marlon and Nisha meet with Deeply Rooted Farms Founder and CEO, Kayla Beyer. Kayla grew up on a dairy farm and currently owns and operates a working beef and crop farm with her husband and five children. They discuss Farm sustainability practices, Regenerative Ag Theory, the benefit of Cover Crops, and more! Kayla also gives us the origin story of Deeply Rooted and how it’s grown into what it is today. Tune in to this episode to find out more about Deeply Rooted!

In this episode of Next Up, your host, Marlon Gordon, meets with USFA member San Diego Unified School District. He chats with Melanie Moyer, Diego Robles, and Janelle Manzano about the success they saw in their districts 200 schools for Plastic Free Lunch Day. Listen in to learn what tips and tricks they used in their district to make this day as successful as it was.